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Fatphobia hurts everyone on the body habitus spectrum and ridding the field of healthcare of it will improve outcomes. Being fat/obese is stigmatized as an undesirable state to the point that major health concerns are overshadowed
There are so many stories of fat people with moderate to severe symptoms who get turned away with “lifestyle modification” “ eat better” plans to address their concerns when we can do so much better. I implore we respect our patients enough to look deeper.
I am a very tall person and has an overweight BMI that used to be brought up in visits, never looked at as a symptom of the chronic issues but the source of them. I lost 50 pounds in about 6 months and my doctor was pleased, even though every single one of my dx worsened.
I’d tell people how much I lost and they’d be so happy for me. But really, my appetite was weak. I could go days without eating. I averaged less than 1 meal a day. Steph would have to force me to eat, I was literally wasting away while people cheered
Only one person paused when I told them, they asked more questions and I realized that even though my BMI was “improving”, my habits mimicked that of an eating disorder.
I’m on the road to recovery but boy does medicine have weight and BMI completely wrong. This is the first time I’ve had a thigh gap and I kinda hate it. But I’m trying to be more forgiving of the normal changes in my body over time, esp. in a pandemic
I aim to be the provider that listens to and empowers my fat patients. Their liberation from stigma will improve outcomes for everyone.
